Snowshoe Hare colour and climate change

[Catherine]

Snowshoe hares have brown hair to match the tundra. In the winter they turn white to match the snow. This is their defense against predators. Everything eats Snowshoe hares, the ones they can see. Climate change is affecting when their is snow and when the land is brown. The hares are mistiming their colour change and it makes them more vulnerable. It is not easy for them to adapt quickly enough to match the changing conditions.
More study needs to be done to get a clearer picture of what is happening, but clearly climate change is having a negative impact.

https://cabinradio.ca/126198/news/enviro...ate-warms/

The effects of climate change are far reaching. So many species are affected. Who knows about the other species that change colour. How are they adapting.
One thing is certain, since so many species depend on the Snowshoe hare as a food source, anything that negatively impacts the snowshoe hare will effect those species too. The inability to change colour on time could have serious consequences for the whole ecosystem.

Yet another reason why combating climate change is absolutely necessary.